escalate
verb
es·ca·late
ˈe-skə-ˌlāt 
nonstandard
-skyə-
escalated; escalating
: to increase in extent, volume, number, amount, intensity, or scope
a little war threatens to escalate into a huge ugly one—
Arnold Abrams
Arnold AbramsExamples of escalate in a Sentence
The conflict has escalated into an all-out war.
a time of escalating tensions
We are trying not to escalate the violence.
Salaries of leading executives have continued to escalate.
The cold weather has escalated fuel prices.
Recent Examples on the Web
Demonstrations had erupted in the former French colony on September 25 over water and power shortages but quickly escalated into an uprising over broader grievances, including corruption, bad governance and lack of basic services.
—CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Yet in Chicago, immigrant advocate groups say federal immigration officers are escalating those tactics and becoming more violent.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
Iran’s boycott underscores its refusal to engage diplomatically with the United States, even on humanitarian or regional peace initiatives, amid persistent mistrust after years of sanctions, recent military confrontations and escalating tensions across the region.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Once Lindy moves into an actual doll house, things escalate.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
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CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Yet in Chicago, immigrant advocate groups say federal immigration officers are escalating those tactics and becoming more violent.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
Iran’s boycott underscores its refusal to engage diplomatically with the United States, even on humanitarian or regional peace initiatives, amid persistent mistrust after years of sanctions, recent military confrontations and escalating tensions across the region.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Once Lindy moves into an actual doll house, things escalate.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escalate. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
escalate
verb
es·ca·late
ˈes-kə-ˌlāt
escalated; escalating
: to increase in extent, volume, or scope : expand
escalate prices
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